France/ Maine-et-Loire municipality strengthens its security with the help of local residents

The gendarmerie and the commune of Beaucouzé (Maine-et-Loire) have signed a citizen participation agreement to reinforce security in the commune.

Seven volunteer citizen referents commit to "structuring a supportive and vigilant neighborhood". The gendarmerie and the commune of Beaucouzé (Maine-et-Loire) have signed a citizen participation agreement to reinforce security in the commune.

A partnership with the police

This is a partnership with law enforcement agencies: residents actively contribute to the protection of their environment by working closely with the gendarmerie. "The scheme supports the work of the security forces by enabling people to quickly report any suspicious activity or behavior likely to jeopardize the safety of people and property", explains the Maine-et-Loire prefecture.

A total of 41 communes have already signed up to this department-wide citizen initiative.

How does it work?

Citizen referents are chosen on a voluntary basis. They receive specific information from the gendarmes or police officers in their area, to make them aware of basic acts of prevention, and how to behave when out and about.of prevention, how to behave in the event of a suspicious event, and the reflexes to develop when witnessing an abnormal event or situation.

Citizen referents do not carry out rounds or patrols in their neighborhood or commune. However, they are encouraged to quickly report any facts or events that come to their attention to the police and the mayor.

Introduced in 2011 by the French Ministry of the Interior, the "participation citoyenne" scheme is part of a partnership approach between law enforcement agencies, elected representatives and the general public, designed to improve crime prevention and control.

Source: actu.fr/pays-de-la-loire/